Building permit with an excavation permit

: Just make a thread here or if that's too different, create your own thread.

Okay, then I will try to briefly explain this here.

We are dealing with a "new development area" for 4 single-family houses. One of the conditions was that an archaeological investigation must be carried out. Investigations have already been conducted at a few locations within the area. There were some finds (discolorations, shards) in some cases.
The report was then sent to the building regulations and monument protection authority for further decision.
Their suggestion was now that the entire area should be investigated, which of course implies effort and costs.

Our proposal was that investigations should only be carried out where the previous depth of finds is actually reached during construction.
So only in the areas where houses with basements will be built or where infrastructure will be installed.
Since the entire area will still be partially filled up, the previous depth of finds will not be disturbed in the other areas.
The future homeowners would even sign an agreement to adhere to this. Thus, possible further finds in these areas could remain untouched.

However, this proposal has so far been rejected with the reasoning that it would not be adhered to anyway.

What is your assessment as an expert?

Okay, then I will try to explain this briefly here. We are dealing with a "new development area" for 4 single-family houses. As a condition, we also had that an archaeological investigation must be carried out. For this purpose, investigations have already been carried out at a few points of the area. There were partly a few finds (discolorations, shards). The report then went to the building regulations and monument protection authority for further decision. Their suggestion was now that the entire area should be investigated, which of course means effort and costs. Our suggestion was that only those areas should be investigated where the previous find depth is actually reached during construction. So only in the areas where houses with basements are built or the development is carried out. Since the entire area is to be raised somewhat, the previous find depth will not be disturbed in the other areas. The future builders would even sign that this is adhered to. Thus, possible further finds in these areas could remain undisturbed. This proposal has so far been rejected with the reasoning that this will not be adhered to anyway. What is your assessment as an expert?

I am sorry, but I have not been online here for ages...... in case it is not already too late for the question. Normally, generally only up to the building side depth (and that only in the construction area) is investigated, even if there are indications that there is actually something below that. Finds are then "only" recorded there, but not investigated. The whole thing is then covered with geotextile. At least that is the case in Bavaria. And what you described above as a proposal would actually be the rule there....

Thank you for your response. Are there any written regulations / work instructions etc. that we can refer to in order to convince the administration of our proposal? The federal state is Lower Saxony.